Film printing machine



`luly 18, 1950 Filed Dec. 2, 1944 F. E. OAKHILL FILM PRINTING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @y M@ @ai July 18, 1950 F. E. oAKHlLL 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 HUI July 18, 1950 F. E. OAKHILL. 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 12 sneets-sheet s July 18, 1950 F. E. oAKHlLL 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 18, 1950 F. E. oAKHlLL 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jak? July 18, 1950 F. E. oAKHlLL- A 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 l2 Sheets-Sheet July 18, 1950 F. E. oAKHlLL 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 l2 Sheets-Sheet '7 im; I1

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July 18, 1950 F. E. oAKHlLL 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE July 18, 1950 F. E. OAKHILL 2,515,420

FILM PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1944 I2 sheets-sheet 12 Patented Jul-y 1,8, 1975.0

UNITED STATES PATENT :OFFICE FILM PRINTINGTMACHINE Frederic E. 'OakhilL Wilmette, I1l.,.assig nor lto Prsmacolor,`lnc., Chicago, Ill., -a corporation of Illinois Application Becember 2,1944, :Serial No. 566,310

(Cl. {J5- 175) 18 Claims.

11 .c This invention relates to improvements in photographic lm printing machines, and more particularly to machines for printing groups of impressions carried by a negativelm which has beenexposed in what. may be called a ythree-,color camera, although two-color or othermulti-,color frames are equally vspaced'apart by opaque bars.

These bars are desirablebut not absolutely necessary. `Films printed with the Vpresentvmachine are i permanent, fixed and a true record.

The presentmachine provides means forslmultaneously exposingeachframe of each group of impressions or images to'alight source, and

yone of the objects of'the present invention is to control the amountfof light to `which each-frame .ofthe .group shall be exposed.

ymeans wherebythe machine may beset to run continuously for the purpose of printing a test lm or for printing films for exhibition, and suitable automatically operating Yclutch mechanism isiprovided for stopping the machine at the conclusion ofeach cycle of operation for printing one group of impressions. When a test striphas been run through the machine and has been developed the attendant may observe the various frames ol the groups of impressions thereon vvand make notes of the densities thereof. In order that the projected picturesmay-.show the true colors of the photographed objects it is necessary `that the densities 0i the frames of Veachgroup comprising each picture have ...ai definite relation to each other. In .three-color photographs `the density Vor the red, blue and green framesmust have denite relations. -This is yaccomplished for `agiven lightcondition by the Vvuse in the camera withsuitable iilters. Howeverydue to changes in light conditions whilethe photographer. `is at -`work-with@` cameralloadedwith a iilm and se .able or impractical to change the ilters.

lectedjlters, the 'frames of each group frequently do nothave the proper relative densities. It is frequentlyy thecase that a single iilm is successively exposed in the camera under aA great variety of light conditions because it is undesir- In accordance with the presentinvention, the attend- .ant mayincrease or decrease the area of the exposure opening for each frame of the groupso as to admitmore.or'lesslight as may be required to give the best results.

Another object is vtheprovisiorrof individual ,micrometer adjustment means for varying `the Widths of the exposure openings to vary the quantity of vlight to the severaliframes of a group, whereby to simultaneously vexpose the several ,frames of each group to light rays from a printing lamp so thateach frame will receivethe re- -quired amount of light.

Another object-is to provide a manuallyop- .erated clutchin the driving mechanism for the lm advancngmeans, whereby said film advancing means may be disconnected from thefdriving mechanism, whereby .the negative nlm may be Vmanually advanced or retracted, and4 one ofthe objects is the provision of safety ymeans between said clutch and the clutch forv starting and stopping the main drive means of the machine eX- cept when said clutch for thelm driving mechanism is in fully ,clutched position.

Another object is ,the .provision of means Awhereby to facilitate ,the lthreading of the positive andnegative lms through the iilmguiding vdevices and film advancing devices.

Another object is the provision of manually operated means for actuatingthe light controlling gate.

With these and other objects and advantages in View, this invention consists in the severalfnovei features of construction, arrangementand combination of parts hereinafterlfully' set forth and more particularly defined in the fappendant claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the Vdrawings accompanying Athis speciiication,v in which:

Fig. l is airont elevation of a Vlm printing `machine embodying a simple `form `o the; present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan thereof;

Fig. -3 is a vertical cross section thereof taken von the line 3-3 of'Fig. 2;

vFig. 4 is a Vertical longitudinalr'sectio-n taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation of certainmembers of the drive mechanism of the machine with oneof the upright supporting plates of the frame kstructurepartly brokenaway to illustrate parts that would be otherwise -hidden from view;

Figg isa detail vewpartly'in side elevation AVor less opaque. Y y

3 and partly in vertical longitudinal section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig..3;.

Fig. 'l is' a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 1 -I of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical cross section taken substantially on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7; Y

Fig. 8a. is a sectional View of the clutch shown in Fig. 8 looking in an upward direction and illustrating a certain shoeand locfkbolt'seen in Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a detail view partly in front elevation and partly in Vertical cross section of the printing light housing and fogging light housing taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on the une lli-pm of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l isa view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal section illustrating means for raising and lowering certain film guiding idlers;

Fig. 12 isa View partly in plan and partly in section illustrating the light controlling gate, certain platesY being broken' away in this` view to illustrate parts therebelow;

Figi 13 is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on thelineA I3''I3 of Fig. 11;k

Fig. 14 is a det'ailsidev elevation of certain clutches and a clutch actuating means with the frame structure of the machine shown in section;

Fig. 15is a detail vertical'cross section taken on the line I5-'-I5 of Fig. 14, and,

Fig. 16 is a 'diagrammatic View illustrating the electric circuits of themachine.

Briefly the machine comprises means for guiding and advancing the negative and positive ilms through a printing'zone where the'positive film is printed'from the negative one, 'and it embodies a printing light 4to which the framesy of each group are simultaneously exposed. Manually adjustable ,light 'control slides are provided for controlling theamount Voflight projected 'upon the film so that each virameof each vgroup may be exposed to more or less light as is requiredto obtain the best results;

Cam actuated mechanism is provided 'ior reciprocating alight controlling gate yin timed relation to the advancement ofjthe'iilmsyand a fogging light actuating means is'provided for raising the Yfogging light Ahousing during the-intervals that the lms'arebeing advanced, and an electric switch mechanismA is provided 'for l closing the circuit to the fogging light lamp during the printing intervals wherebyv certain strips or bars between successive framesare made more Manuallyoperated mechanism is 'provided whereby the negative film maybe advanced or retracted to bring any desired group of. frames into printing position, and meansis alsoprovided for manually. manipulating the cams ,which actuate the light rcontrolling gate, the fogging light housing and the .electric switch for the fogging light. Means are also provided forthecontinuous operation of the machine from one end of the filmstrip to the otherend, and y automatic clutch mechanism is` provided for stopping the operation of the machine at/the conclusion of 4 bers I. 2 (see Figs. 2 and 3) and lower horizontal, longitudinal and transverse frame members 3, 4 with'the upper and lower framemembers connected at their corners by upright frame members 5. These frame members are rigidly secured together at the corners to provide a substantial frame structure.

Mounted upon the front end of the frame structure is a'panel 6 (see Fig. l) upon which various instruments are mounted. Secured to and extending upfrom the front upper frame member 2 is a bracket 8 which supports an upright bar 1 in which bracket and bar is journaled a spindle 9 that carries the positive iilm reel I5. A swingable arm II depends in front of the spindle 9A and vprevents the reel from becoming disengaged from driven sprocket 22 tothe reel I4. f

Removably mounted on a driven spindle 23 is a reel 24 which carries-the negative film 25. The

negative lm passes around-idlers 26, 2l, 28 and a driven sprocket 29 and thence through the printing zone underneath the positive film;

thence around idlers 3), 3I, l32 and a driven sprocket 33 to a reel 34 Which is removably mounted upon a driven spindle 35. y

As will be hereinafter explained, the sprockets I9, 22 kand 29, 33` are driven synchronouslyat equal speed bysuitable lgearingfso that the positive and negative lms are advanced simultanef ously in van intermittent manner and permitted to remain stationary during the printing intervals. f

vThe superimposed portions of the positive and negative lms pass between a light controlling gate 36 (see Figs. 1, 4, 9 10 and l2) and a fogging lamp housing 31, the latter being reciprocated vertically to clamp the positive and negative films together during the printing intervals and to release them when theyare to be advanced. Figs. 1 and 4 show the fogging'lamp housing in raised position, and Figs. 9 and lfshow it in lowered position. Below the gatel 35 is aprinting light lamp housing 38 which is mounted on the panel 6 and contains a light source here shown as comprising an incandescent electric lamp PL.

.i The upper end ci the lamp housing 38 is formed with a. hollow forwardly extending boss 39, and slidably mounted in the upper end of the lamp housing and inthe boss is ar reciprocating light each cycle of koperation for printing a group of frames. i

Referring vnow to said` drawings 4which are Ymerely illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, a frame structure is 'provided upon which theseveral instrumentalities are mounted controlling gatevSS, the inner 'end 'of which is connected by ears 4U to a rod or bar-'4I which is slidably mounted vv'in a bearing box 42, mounted o n a frame bar 42', carr-ieclby upright plates B2, which are secured to and extend up from lower members of the frame structure. The rod or bar 4I has a roller 43 yjournaled upon its rear end, which roller cooperates with-a camvgroove 44 of the hereinafter described cam block 45 to reciprocate the gate v36. Rotation ofthe lcam block 45 through one complete revolution causes the light controlling gate'to--bereciprocated back and orthonce, whereby the lmsiare exposed to the Y printing light-Phduringthe greater portion of the period of reciprocation of,v the gate.-

' v The gate'I basan vexpnsune opening 46- intere mediate' its endsrwhich opening is partially covered by a fixed shield tllfa'stened tothe' gate as by screws'. Slidably mounted in the gate are several' slides '4t (three Ybeing shown). These slides' are disposed side by'side and to 'each is Vsecured a shield 49 which' projects partially over the exposure opening '4'6 and cooperates withth'e xed'shield 4-'i to defineV the vwidth ofy the effective exposure opening between the shields, whereby more' or less light may' pass from the'printing light lamp to the individual frames of each' group on the' negative film' whichis" in printing position.

In Figs. 9 and l2 the reference characters 38a designate side walls of the printing light housing, and 33:12' inwardly' projecting flanges upon which the' gate 35 slides; 35a designates th'e front top Wall' of the gate; 36h th'e"'front bottom' wall thereof; 35o the side walls o'f the gate, and' Bed the rear' or main body' of the gate. The' side Walls are' screwed or otherwise fastened'to thcv l bottom walls are fastened' to the ller blocksl by screws. y Y

Secured to the tops of the side walls 33d, and covering the entire cavity containing the gate 36,

is aplate 33h of generally rectangular form which is formed `with exposure openings 38e, three being shown and separated by narrow cross bars 38d. The margins of the openings 38k.1 provide frames for framingthe frames of each group of impressions on the negative film. t

Secured to the plate 38h at one side of the exposure openings 38e is a guide bar 33e against oneedge of which one edge of the films run, and adjacent the opposite side of the exposure openings are spring pressed lm guide members 33j and 38g that bear against the opposite edges oi the films. The guide members 38f-33g are carried by a bar 38h and a block 381" fastened to the plate 38h as by screws. The plate 38h (see Fig. l) and fogging light housing 3l, together with the guides 38e, 38j (see Fig. 12), serve as a nlm gate through which the lmsvare advanced in superimposed position.

At one side the printing lamp housing is formed with a viewing light housing |80, in `which is conn tained an electric lamp VL, mounted in av lamp socket ISI fastened in the housing. The plate Lieb extends above the open top ofy the housing |83 and is formed with viewing openings |82 spaced by a bar |83 and below the opening- |82 is or are one or more red or green transparent plates |84 through which the negative lm may be viewed. The last frame of one group and the first frame of another group are visible through these openings.

Threadedly mounted in the front wall U of the gate are adjustment screws 5|, 52, 53, one for each slide, and connected thereto by blocks 55 that lie in grooves in the slides and engage in reduced neck portions of the screws. On the outer ends of the screws are secured knurled knobs 55 by which they are manipulated. Secured in the front wall 50 are sleeves 52a, through which the screws extend and on the cylindrical faces of the sleeves are graduation marks which coe operate with pointers or arrows on the knobs 55 to indicate the Widths of the exposure openings between the fixed and movable shields. The screw connections with the slidesA provide a micrometer adjustment whereby the attendant may know with certainty the exact'widths of Vthe effective exposure openings between4 the xed lucent light diffusing plate 58 extends across the interior of -thelamp housing and serves to diffuse the light projected from the printing lamp. A door deis provided in a wall of the lamp housing for vthe purpose of obtaining access to the light diiusing plate.

Above the lamp housing `is the fogging ylight housing 37 which is raisedby a lever 60 when'the l'ms are to be advanced and Vis lowered into contact with the positive nlm when the exposures are made. The 'lever 5|) 'is rotatably mounted upon a rod or shaft 6| carried by upright Vsupporting plates G2, and one arm of said lever is connected to 'the fogging Vlight housingr unit by a pin which extends through ears 63 formed on a cross Ybar 54 which-is connected with the lamp housing, as will be hereinafter described.

The other arm of the lever 60 'has a roller 65 `iournaled thereon, which roller cooperates with the hereinafter described cam block '66 to raise and lower the fogging light housing.

The fogging light housing is' mounted' upon two upright rods '61 by ears 68 and said rods are secured to, and extend between, lugs 'I9 that extend out from the panel 6; The cross bar 64 is provided with bosses sthrough which the rods El' extend, and coiled compression springs il are interposed ybetween the bosses 69 and ears 68 and function to yieldingly depress the fogging light housing. The fogging light housing is suspended fromV the crossbar '64 by headed'pins 64' secured to the housing with their heads resting on the cross bar. At its bottom the fogging light housing is formed with a rectangular flanged neck l2, the width of which neck corresponds with the Awidth of the film, and its length, is slightly greater than a group of frames.

The fogging light FL is mounted in a lamp socket T3 supported in the lamp housing 31 and `a light diffusingr plate "I4 is interposed between the lamp and the opening in the neck to diffuse the' light rays. A door 75 provides access to theinterior of the lamp housing.

ToV the bottom face of the flange is secured a iogging plate which is of the same dimensions as the flange and contains transverse slots |85 thatfregister with the bars 3M, of the plate 38h. In the lneck are wider slots |81 through which light rays from the fogging light pass to the slots |86. If desired an aperture plate |38 supportedrby this lamp housing and by a T-shaped bar |89 may be employed below the diiusing plate 'Mito divide the lower part of the housing into two separate light chambers.

When the lms have been advanced to bring a group of frames into printing position, and the fogging light housing has been lowered, the circuit to the fogging light FL is closed, the lamp is illuminated and the rays of light are pron jected through the slots |56 and upon the parts of the positive lm therebelow, whereby when the positive film has been developed, more or less opaque strips or bars will appear between the several frames.

The purpose of this is to aid an attendant in framing the positive nlm in a projector and also to prevent the edge -portions of the projected pictures from having a halo about them.

.y A camv operated electric switch 80 (see Fig. 5) is.. prvided`for controlling the timing of the illuminationvof the fogging light. The contacts of said switch are opened and closed by a pivoted switch arm 8| that has a roller 82 on its i'reeend that runs on the cam edge of a cam block 3. The major portion of the cam edge is composed Vof two concentric circular faces 84, 85, but of different radii and connected by cam edges 86, the construction and arrangement being such that while the roller 82 runs on the circular edge 84 the contacts of the switch are closed and the circuit to the fogging light is closed, and when the roller runs on the circular edge 85 the contacts are open and the fogging light is extinging light is extinguished.

' Fig. 5 illustrates the three cam blocks with the parts in neutral position; namely, with the fogging light housing raised, the fogging light switch in o position and the light controlling gate at the end of its outward stroke with the light from the vprinting lamp cut off by the xed shield 4l ofthe'light controlling gate.

Muntedon a base 87a carried by lower frame members la of the frame structure is an electric motor 81 (see Figs. 2 and'4) having a suitable speed reducing gearing 83 from which extends the'main drive shaft 89 of the machine. To the main drive shaft is coupled a drive shaft 90 as by a shaft coupling 9|. The drive shaft 90 is journaled in bearing brackets 93 mounted on one ofthe two upright supporting plates 62.

Mounted on the drive shaft 90 is a worm pinion 94 which meshes with a lworm gear wheel 95 that i'smounted on a countershaft 9B which is journaled in bearing bosses 97 carried by the upright supporting plates 52. Secured in one bearing boss is a bearing bushing 98 (see Figs. 7 and 8) which extends outward from the boss toward the adjacent side of the machine and on said bearing bushing are rotatably mounted a mutilated gear wheel 90 and one member |00 ofl a rclutch which is interposed between the counter-shaft 96 and the mutilated gear wheel y$9. This mutilated gear wheel alternately drives the nlm advancing mechanism and reciprocates the light controlling gate mechanism and the fogging light housing. The clutch member |00 is rigidly fastened to the mutilated gear wheel S9 by rivets |02 or their equivalents and cooper- V.fates with a coacting clutch member |03 fastened upon the countershait 96 as by a pin |04. The clutch lill is oi' the conventional unidirectional .clutch construction which may be set for continuously driving the mutilated gear wheel or for rotating the same through one complete revolution and then unclutching the clutch, whereby the mutilated gear wheel and all of the mechanisms driven by it will remain idle runtil the clutch is again reclutched. One purpose of this clutch is to permit the mechanism to feed the two iilms through the printing zone and permit printing from the entire negative film or torun ol a test or trial positive film so as to enable the attendant to observe what corrections in the light intensity for the frames of the various groups of images are necessary in printing the nished positive lin. During the operation of the machine the clutch may be clutched to drive the operating mechanism of the machine through Ione cycle of operation for printingr al group of frames, and then automatically unclutched at the conclusion of the cycle of operation.

The clutch member |00 carries a notched retractable bolt |05 which is arranged to be thrust into any one of a number of sockets |06 in the clutch member |03. A retractable shoe |01, having a tapered edge la, cooperates with the bolt |05 to withdraw it from engagement in the socket in which it is engaged to thereby unclutch the clutch. rlhe bolt is urged into the socket |06 by a coiled compression spring |05a seated in a recess in the clutch member |00 and bearing against the rear end of the bolt.

The shoe |01 is mounted upon an upright stem ||4 slidably mounted in a post ||5 secured to and extending upward lfrom lower members of the frame structure. A coiled compression spring ||6 seated in a recess in the post bears against the lower end of the stem llt and yieldably urges it in an upward direction, which upward movement is limited by the bottom face of a `circumferential groove formed in the clutch member |00. Projecting from the stem ||l| is a pin ||8 which extends out through a slot in the post and is arranged to be depressed by the hereinafter described rocker lever H3 whereby to retract the shoe from engagement with the bolt |05.

The shoe |01 may'occupy an operative position in which it retracts the bolt from the socket at the completion of a single rotation of the mutilatedgear wheel, or it may stand in an inoperative position wherein the bolt passes freely by the shoe and permits continued rotation of the mutilated gear wheel and the parts driven thereby. The bolt is formed with a notch |0519 in one side (see Figs. 8 and 8a), and when the shoe has been set into position for unclutching the clutch Il, the shoe is held against the bot-l tom of the circumferential groove as seen in Fig. 3, andthe edge |050 of the notch encounters the tapered edge |0'la of the shoe during the rotation of the clutch, and as a result the edge |05c rides along the tapered edge of the shoe land the bolt is thereby retracted and withdrawn from the socket |06 in which it was engaged. If the shoe is set for continuous operation, the stem ||4 has been lowered suiliciently to move the shoe partly out of the groove and the bolt then merely passes above the shoe and is notaifected thereby. 1

;The shoe isset into its operative or inoperative position from a hand lever ii disposed adiacent the panel G (see Fig. l). The hand lever |08 is fastened to a rod |09 rotatably mounted in the panel and ina post l0 secured to and extending up from lower frame members of the frame structure (see Figs. 5 and 7). On the end of the rod' |03 is secured a crank arm from which projects a stud or pin I2 which cooperates with the rocker lever |3 to depress the shoe |01.

lThe stud or rpinl |2 is arranged to engage a cam end 9 of the rocker lever I3 when swung downward ,to-thereby swing upward said cam end of the lever and thereby swing downward the other end of the lever, thereby depressing the pin |48 and therewith the stem IM and shoe Ii's', and disengaging the shoe from the bolt |05. When Vthe boltis released the spring urges it towards the clutch member |03 and into one ofthe sockets |06 therein, thereby clutching the two clutch members together and causing the countershaft 96 to rotate the mutilated gear wheel.

If the crankarm I|| is held in its down position with the cam end of the rocker lever raised,

the clutch `will remain' clutchedandi the mutilated gear wheel and allfof'the mechanism driventtherefrom will continue" to operateuntil .the crank armv is raised. This isdone'whilel running the positive and negative'l films through the machine for continuous operation,

However, the arm |081 may be; swungr down to retract the shoe |01 and immediatelythereaiter permitted4 to be raised, thereby allowing the spring 6 toliit thesteml |'4fand place the shoe |61 in a positionlv to' engagefand retract the bolt at the conclusion of a? complete rotation of the mutilated 'geariwheelg'thereby stopping thev operative mechanismofthe machine.

The hand lever |08 is provided with a spring pressed bolt l|26' which engages ini-'a hole |2l in the panel 6 (see Fig. 1") whenever the :hand lever' is swung into its down p'osi'tion'for a continuous operation /ofthemachine.' Thebolt`- isvh'eld in its retracted 'position by a.pi'1i `|2`2"'(see `also 5) which' strikes against the facefof' the hand lever when the machine-is to"be'operatedv intermittently vand''thereby prevents the bolt from engaging in the' h'ole F212 A hole El'i'iin the hand' lever is arranged' to receive the pin when the bolt is turned'in-tol registry with'l the hole.` When in this positionthe springproj'ects the bolt and when it is in registry'with the hole'inthe panel, the end' of' the bolt' is' thrust into thel hole and the hand lever is positively hel'd in' down'` position.

Oh the rod |09"is'm`ount'ed a rock lever |'|2a, one arm H'Zb of-wiiich`isconnected by a coiled tension spring if |'2'c` with a-st'ati'onary element and functionsy to yieldably 'hold the rod |09 and the parts carried" therebyin inoperative position as is seen in Figure" 8, withthe ci'anlfarmf `Iii swung against a stop pin [214'. Safetyv means is inter'- posed between the rod`|69` and" certain clutch mechanism which -will be hereinafter described.

The mutilated gear wheel il@ hasteeth upon .ll-SO degrees of its circumference whichfteethare arranged to mesh'alternately with the teeth of two pinions |215, |25` 'so that d'u'iin'g one complete revolution of the mutilated gear' wheel, in one half of,` its`v revolution it rotates one pinion while' the other pinion remains idle', and in the vother half of itsre'volution lit rotates the previously idle pinion and permits theother onev to idle'.

Thus the pinions |25?, |2'6are each `given one complete revolution. eachftiine .they are rotated.

The pinions |25', |25` are mounted on countersha'fts |21, |28' journaledv in bearing bosses carried' by' the upright plates A62 and arebolted or otherwise fastened' to' detente |29, |36 rigidly fastened 'to thecountershaft's' |21", |22; or the like" which; passthro'ugh hubs" formed on said detents and through the shafts. edges of the detent's `are .concavedalcng circular lines'str-ufzk.'fromy the'center of the countersh'ait 95' (see 5) and are arranged to engage the circular edge' of a disc-like member-iti on the clutchmernberwll and thereby7 pc tiv v.y prevent accidentalxrotation of the pinioris |25; H26 Vand their shafts except whiendriven bythe mutilated getti'v/"hl-l.-k

'The c'ountershaft |23V actuates theflight con"- troilin'g gateme'chanism andthe fogging light housing actuatn'gmeohanism, andthe countershaft |21"drives the' film advancingrnechanism through gearing anddrive mechanism which will be presentlyv described.'

Mountedon one' end'of the ycountershaft i528 is a mitre pinion |32? (seef'FigfGYw-hich' meshes with a mitre pinion ,|33 mountedzupon anV up- The end right shaft |34 journaled in a bearing bracket |35 carried by the upright platetf. Coupled to the shaft |34, as by a shaft coupling Ilil, is an upright shaft l35which is journaledin a bearing bracket |31 carried.. by the upright plate 62. Rigidly secured to the shaft |36 is a mitre pinion |38 which meshes with a mitre pinion |39v fast on the cam shaft |40 which is journaled in bearing bosses on-the upright plates 62. i Mounted on said cam shaft |40 are the three cam blocks 45, 66 and 83. The cam block 45-has the cam groove 44 which cooperates with thel roller 43 carried by the rod or bar 4|f toreciprocate the light controlling gate.. The camA groove is shaped to reciprocate the light controlling gate back and forth once during eachV complete revolution of the camshaft-|46.

The cam block B6 raises and lowersthe fogginglight housing once during each revolution of the cam shaft. Its cam -face is circular throughout its greatest extent and has a flattened portion |43 which cooperates' with the roller 55 of the lever 63 toY permit theV roller 65'to move downward, thereby permitting the spring |44 to raise the forward endV of the lever 6u. The spring |454 is secured at one'end rto the forward end of the lever 6&3, and at its other end to lapin fastened in the' frame structure of the' machineisee Figure 4). The timing of-thecam 66 is such-'that the fogging light lamp :housing is raised during kthe intervals that the films are being advanced.v

Film advancing mechanism On one end of the countershaft |'21 is a mitre pinion |45 which meshes with 'a mitre pinion |46 pinned, or otherwise rigidly secured to an upright shaft |41 which is journaled in bearings |48, |49, |50 carried by one of the plates 62.

Rotatively mounted in the bearing bracket |40 is a sleeve |5|, the lower end of which is provided with a coupling memberV of a shaft coupling |52 for coupling the sleeve |5| to the shaft |41. To the sleeve |5I is pinned, or otherwise rigidly secured a spiral gear |53, and to the upper end of the shaft ,|41 is rigidly secured a spiral gear |54. Meshing respectively with the spiral gears |53 and |54 are spiral gears |55, |56 mounted respectively on shafts |51, v|58 journaled in bearing bosses carried by the upright plates 62. On the. other ends of the shafts |51, |58 are spiral gears |59, |60 (see Figs. 3 and 5).

The` spiral gears |55, |56 mesh respectively with spiral gears |6| |62 .pinned Vor otherwise rigidly secured to the shafts 33a, 22a for the negative film advancing sprockets 33, 29 (see Figs. 3 and 6), and the spiral gears I 59, l 651 mesh respectively with spiralgears |63, |54'pinned or otherwise rigidlyrsecured to the shafts 25a, 19a for the positive lm advancing sprockets 22, |9.

The film advancing sprockets are thus provided with drive gearing which rotates all four sprockets in unison and at vthe same peripheral speed. The several sprocket shafts are journaled in bearing brackets |66 which project laterally from the upright supporting plates 62.

Manual vfilm advancing means Means are provided yfor manually advancing and retracting the negative film 25 to bring any selected groupv of` impressions thereon into register with the part of the positive film contained in the printing Zone. Sometimes it is desirable to have certain pictures follow in sequence on the positive film and vthese impressions may be 11l variously located along the negative film, but with the present manual film strip advancing and retracting means any desired group may be readily placed in the printing zone.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is shown a crank wheel |61 mounted on a shaft |68 journaled in a bearing boss |69 carried by one of the upright frame members. On the shaft |68 is mounted a gear wheel which meshes with a pinion |1| fast on an extension |12 of shaft |51. By first unclutching the shaft |41 from the sleeve |5| the crank wheel may be turned, thereby rotating the negative film driving sprockets 29, 33 through the shaft |51, intermeshing spiral pinions |55, |6| and intermeshing pinions |59, |63. With the sleeve |5| for the pinion |53 unclutched from shaft |41, the sleeve with its pinion rotates freely on the shaft |41. y

Manual drive means for the cams It may be found convenient at times to manually operate the cam shaft |40 and therewith manually actuate the light controlling gate, the shiftingV mechanism for the fogging light housing and the fogging light electric switch, and means has been provided for this purpose which will now be described.

Rotatively mounted in a bearing boss |13 (see Figs. 2 and 3), carried by one of the upright frame members is a crank shaft I 14, on one end of which is a hand crank and on the other end a sprocket wheel |16. On one end of the cam shaft |40 is a sprocket wheel |11 driven from the crank shaft |14 by a sprocket chain I 18 trained over said sprocket wheels |16, |11. By first unclutching Athe clutch |4| between the shafts |34, |36, the attendant may rotatethe cam shaft |40 by turning the hand crank |15 and therewith rotate the several cam blocks and the mechanismactuated thereby.

Drive for the reels The reels I4, '24 and 34 are rotated by a belt |90 (see Fig. 3) trained around a double sheave |9| mounted upon the shaft 90 and trained` around idler sheaves-|92, |93, |94, |95, |96, |91, and around a sheave |98 fast on the spindle I3 of the reel I4, and around asheave |99 fast on the spindle 23V of the reel 24, and around a sheave 200 fast on the spindle 35k of the reel `34.

'I'he idler sheaves are carriedby suitable brackets 202, 203. The spindles for the reels extend through the panel 6 and are ljournaled -in suitable bearings. The belt merely functions to prevent any slack in the two films vwhile being paid out or rewound.

Clutch actuating mechanism The clutch |l||v is operated by aclutch lever 295 (see Fig.f3) and the clutch |52 is operated by a clutch lever 206 pivotally mounted on a support 206a (see Figs. 14, 15), a link201 and a yoke-like member 208 connectingY said lever.with the shiftable member of the clutch. AV dog. or detent 209 pivotally mounted on the panel 6 above the lever 206 is arranged to be swung by a spring '209a over said lever whenever the lever is depressed, to thereby hold it down withrthe clutch unclutched until the dog isswung back from its Vengagement with" the'rlever. Both the lever and dog have finger pieces 2|0',` 2 |`I extending through slots inthe panel 6 whereby they may be actuated.

t The shiftable clutch members of lboth clutches |4| and |52 are urged into clutching posit/19in. by

4,by the beli crank lever ||2a (see Fig. 5).

i clutch member toward the other clutch member' of clutch |52 so that the teeth thereof may be come engaged with each other.

Safety means for the clutches VSafety means is provided for preventing actuation of the hand lever |08 for the main clutch |0| except when the clutches I4| and |52 are fully clutched. As shown, said safety means comprises an arm 2| 4 (see Figs. 3, 6, 14 and 15) secured to a rod 208a upon which the yokelike members 208 are fulcrumed, fingers 2081 that undertie the yoke-like members 208 and are depressed thereby whenever the yoke-like members are swung down, a horizontally extending rod '2|5 pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm 2|4 and extending therefrom through holes in the upright plates 62 to a position slightly below the rod |09, and arranged, when in one position, to be struck by a pin or stud 2|6 carried A coiled tension spring 2|1 connected to the arm 2|4 and to a member of the frame structure serves to yieldingly draw the rod 2|5 toward the left, as viewed in Figs. Sand 8. The rod 20817 is rotatively mounted in brackets 208e carried by the plate 62.

When the clutches |4| and |52 are fully clutched, the end of the rod 2 I5 adjacent the rod |09 occupies the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8, permitting the bell crank lever ||2a to be swung down and thereby permitting the hand. lever |03 to be swung down so as to retract the shoe |91 and permit the clutch |0| to couple the shaft 96 with the mutilated gear 99.

When, however, either clutch I 4I or |52 is unclutched, the arm 2|4 is swung to the right and the rod 2|5 is moved to the right, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 8, bringing the end of the rod 2 I5 underneath the pin or stud 2I6 of bell crank lever ||2a and blocking the downward movement of said bell crank lever and consequently preventing an attendant from moving the hand lever |08, starting the mutilated gear wheel 99 and the mechanisms actuated thereby, while the clutch I4| or |52 remains unclutched.

Film guiding means Referring now to Fig. 1, means are provided for facilitating the threading of the films through the printing zone and for accurately and precisely registering the opaque strips or bars of the negative film with the bars 38d of the plate 38h.

As has been explained, the positive film passes underneath idlers I8, 2u (see also Fig. 9). These idlers are carried by vertically movable slides 2| 6 guided in vertical guideways 2|1 (see Fig. 1l), and to said slides 2|6 is connected a yoke-like lever 2 I8, by pins 2 I9. Projecting laterally from each' arm 220 of the lever 2|8 is a pin 22| which travels in L-shaped slots 222 (see Fig. 11) formed in plates 223 carried by the panel 6. When the lever 2 I8 stands in the solid line position shown in Fig. 11 the slides 2I6 are in their down position and consequently the idlers I8, 20 are in their lowermost position. When it is desired to raise the idlers, as for instance when threading the films through the printing Zone, the lever 2 I8 is swung forward to one of the dotted line positions indicated in Fig. 11, thereby raising the .aisirta'zov idlers. A. stop pin 224A (see'f Fig. 9.)y mountedina lug 225 carried bythe panel Gliesin apositionto be engaged by one of the slidesr2|6 to thereby limit the upward movementof the idlers` i8, 23. When this stop pin is retracted out of the path of movement of the slide 2 6, the hand lever may be swung into the lowermost dotted line position seen in Fig. 11 with the idlers raised considerably above their down position.

For accurately locating the opaque strips or bars of the negative film in register withthe bars 38d, the idler 3| is mounted onva slide 226 (see Fig. l) which is slidablyA mounted on a guide 226:1. in suitable bearings extends through the slide and has a knurled wheel 228 at one end whereby` the threaded stem 22,1- may be rotated to raise or lower the slide 26 and therewith the idler 3|. By lowering the idler, the negative nlm is drawn towards the right, as viewed in Fig. l, and by raising the idler, the film is drawn towards the left by the hereinafter described weighted arin 229. By Viewing the negative through the openings |32 (seeFg. 12) the attendant may observev when the opaque strips or bars, of the negative film are in register with the bar |83 which occupies a deiinite location relative to the bars 38d.

The idlers i5, 21 are mounted upon weighted arms 229 pivotally mounted upon the panel 6, and these weighted arms serve to hold the posi tive and negative films in a fairly taut, condition.

Associated with the sprockets I9, 22, 29, 335 (see Fig. 1) are idlers 233 which positively hold the films in engagement, with the sprockets. To facilitate threading the films between the sproc ets and idlers 233, the idlers for each sprocket are mounted upon a retractible arm 23| (see also Fig. 13) which is provided with a hub 232 that is rotatably mounted on a stud 233 whichis proe vided with a knurled knob 234 and is rotatively mounted upon a pin 235 eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of the stud 233 and secured to the panel 6. A threaded pin 23h` is secured in the stud and has a reducedend which engages in a groove in the pin 235 and prevents accidental disconnection between the arm 23| and the pin 235. By rotating the knurledknob 234 upon the eccentric pin, the arm 23|: and therewith the idlers 230 areretracted from the sprocket permitting the lmto be-readily trained around the sprocket.

Safety light` The safety light SL is mountedI in ahousing 231 carried by a bracket 238 secured to and extending up from the panel 6'. In the lower open side of the housing 231 is contained a red or green panel 239. This safety light furnishes the onli1 illumination for the attendant, since the machine is operated only in a dark room;

The electric circuits' The electric circuits for the severalv electric lamps and electric motor are illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 16. In this ngure the safety lamp is shown at SL, the printing lamp at PL, the fogging lamp at FL, the viewinglamp at and the motor at M.

The main electric conductors seen at 242|,v 24! run from a suitable source of electric energy. The conductor 240 leads to a constant voltage stabilizer 242 and from the same, conductor 243 leads to a transformer 244; conductor. 245.1eads A threaded rod 221 rotativel;r mounted from; the; transformer to` a fogging light switchy 246, and from the switch, lead 241 runs to thev also leads to a resistance coil R and from said coil, a conductor 2,52 leads to a rheostat 253, and from said rheostat a conductor 254 leads to a second' rheostat 255 from which a conductor 25'6leads to the printing lightlamp PL, and from said lamp aconductor 2 51 leads to the printing lightswitch 256and from thence a lead 259 runs to the return conductor 24|. With. the two rheostats in series the intensity of the printing light PL canjbe minutely regulated.

Frogn one. terminal ofthe secondary winding of' the transformer 2,44 a line 25! leads to the movablev contact 26| of a Variable resistance coil 262, and' from saidcoil a line 263, 264 runs to the. logging light FL and from thence a lead 265 'runs to the fogging light switch 86, andfrom saidswitch .a lead 265' runs to the other terminal of' the, secondary winding of the transformer. The conductor 263 also runs to a high-low switch 26|, and from said switch through conductors 262 and 264 to the fogging light FL, and from said light' through conductor 26,5, fogging light switch and conductor 255 to a terminal ofthe secondary windingv of the transformer.

Whenthe low-high switch 26| is open, the circuitv for the fogging light lamp is from the Asecondarywinding of the transformer, through the Variable resistance` `2252 leads 263, 254, the fogging light FL, the fcgging light switch 8D and backv to the secondary winding of the transformer. The amount of resistance may be varied at willand when thisresistance is cut in, the intensity of the foggng light is reduced. When, however, the high-low switch is closed, the circuit from the secondary winding of the transformer is shorted by the `closed switch and the circuit is directly through the conductor 253, lowhigh switch 26|, conductors 262, to the fogging light FL, through switch Sil'and back to the secondary winding of the'transformer. From the above'it is` apparent that the intensity of the fogging light may be regulated from va bright lightv to a' very dim one, depending upon how opaque the stripes or bars which divide the frames shallbe.

The circuit for the Viewing light runs from the main conductor 263 through conductor 25S' to the viewinglight lamp VL, and from said lamp, conductory 261 runs to the viewing lamp switch 268,' and: from thence by lead 26S to the return conductor=24|z The circuit for the motor runs fromi .conductor 26B' through conductor 25611 to the motor M, thence through conductor 240b to the'motor'switch'lc and back to the conductor.24|.

A suitable register 213 (see Figs. l and 3) is provided forregistering the number of groups of frames printedv on the positive nlm, which register. indicates the numerical order of. the groups of frames printed; The register may be drivenfrom the shaft |51 of the negativefilm driving mechanism by a sprocket chain 21|- trained around sprocket wheels on's'aidy shaft and the drive shaft of the register.' 1'

i Operation up position; the cams 45, 66 and 84 are `then idle. f

vAt `this point the teeth of the mutilated gear wheel 99 run off the teeth of the pinion |26, leaving said cams stationary and the teeth Aof the mutilated .gear vwheel 99 run into mesh with the teeth of the pinion |25, thereby starting the filmadvancing mechanism and simultaneously advancing the. positive'and negative films one step. At that point the multilated gear Wheel runs out of -mesh with thepinion |25 and into mesh with ythe pinion |26 which then begins to rotate the .cam shaft |40 and therewith the cams thereon, thereby lowering .the fogging light housing, closing the fogginglight switch and reciprocatingthe light controlling gate once,.thereby exposing the lms to the printing light, opening the fogging light switch and returning the fogg-ing light housing to its raised position, when the clutch pin, seen at |05 in Fig. 5 encounters the shoe |01 and is retracted unclutching the clutch ||l| and stopping the machine, except when the machine is set to run continuously in which case` the same cycle of operation is repeated until the machine is stopped.

The operation of the film printing machine has beenexplained in connection with the description of its construction. Briefly the positive land negative films .are threaded from the reels ill, 24, through the guiding means and film advancing means and through the printing zone. as is indicated in Fig. 1, and the ends attached respectively to the reels |4 and 34.

The main switch is closed and the switches for the motor and various lamps are closed. To run a test film through the machine the hand lever I |13 is swung down and the bolt |20 there- I of allowed to be projected into the hole I2| in the panel 5, thereby starting the machine and permitting it to run continuously until the entire positive film has been printed. The motor may then be stopped or the hand lever |08 swung back into inoperative position.

The -positive film is then developed and the attendant examines the many groups of frames on the film strip and may make notations of the necessary corrections for exposure of the intinuous operation, or only one group of-frames .D

may be printed at a time and then the machine stopped; Before printing each group the attendant observes the notations with respect to'the group and sets the individual slides 48 by means of the micrometer adjustment so as to provide the exact widths of exposure opening between the xed shield 4'! and the movable shields A9 (see Fig. 12) to obtain the required amount of exposure for each individual frame. When the machine is set to run continuously the attendant setsthe movable shields to obtain theproper amount of exposure foreach frame.

'Io have 'thefmachine run through one complete cycle of operation for printing a group of frames the hand 'lever |98 is swung down and immediately released, thereby permitting the clutch Il'to be clutched and automatically unclutchedat the conclusion of'a single cycle of operation for printing one 'group of frames.

If itiisdesirable to` :have'certain of the groups follow each other irl-sequence the attendant notes` the number of the group or groups on his chart and unclutches the clutch |52, by depressing the lever 256 (see Fig. 15). AThe attendant advances or retracts the negative film by manipulating the crank wheel. |57, thereby bringing the selected group of :frames into printing position in the printing zone. The attendant then reclutches the clutch |52 and swings down the hand lever |03 and. releases itV causing the machine to-operate through one complete cycle of operation for printing a group-oiiframes.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that Various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; `hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting-r myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement.. and combination of parts herein shown anddescribed or uses mentioned., g v

What I claim asv 'newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a film printing machine for printing lms for displaying multi-colored pictures from negatives having groupspf impressions thereon displayed in individual frames, the combination of a light source towhich said lms are exposed whilestationara reciprocable light controlling gate'4 disposed betweenthe films and the light source,1 said gate having adjustable exposure opening shields therein, one for each frameof a group of impressions, means exteriorly of the machine for adjusting said shields and means to reciprocate the gate to simultaneously exposerseveral ,frames of the lms through said sections to the source of light.

2. In a lm printing machine for printing lms for displaying multi-colored pictures from negatives having groups of impressions thereon, the combination of a light source to which said films are exposed While stationary, a reciprocable light controlling gate disposed between the lms and the light source, said gate having an Aexposure opening divided into sections through which light rays from said source are simultaneously projected upon several frames of the lms, means having exteriorly located manually actuatable members to vary the sizes of the various sections of said exposure opening, and -means for reciprocating said gate to bring the exposure opening into the pathof the light -rays projected on the lms, and manually operatedactuating means to operate said gate.

3. In a film printing machine for printing lms for displaying multi-colored pictures from negatives having groups of impressions thereon displayed in individual frames, the combination of a nlm gate through which superimposed positive and negative films are advanced in a step by step manner, a source of light to which the lms are exposed while stationary, a reciprocable light controlling vgate for exposing several frames of the ilms to the light source, gate reciprocating mechanism, said light controlling gate having exposure sections, one for each frame of a group of impressions', and means exteriorly of the machine to 

